I'm sure many of you are aware of the hoopla this new novel's creating, and it seems everyone from Ellen De Generes to regular moms are reading this steamy novel. Have any of you read it? If so, what did you think of it? I got a 10 page teaser of it from the Today Show's site and it got me intrigued. I'm really considering getting a copy, although I don't have much time for reading and it would probably take me forever to finish it up. Those of you who have read it, did you think it was worth it? Was it a good read? Is anyone else as curious as I am to see what the hype's all about? I'm trying to find a free ebook download copy on Google but no luck, all the sites I have run into have been a scam, so if any of you know of a good site where it can be downloaded, please let me know, and let me know any and all your thoughts on Fifty Shades of Grey. Have a good day!
Someone mentioned the copper hair, I would think copper hair is strawberry blonde, as it has an orange tinge in the sun, like copper does. Thanks for the other book recommendations, to which Fifty Shades of Grey is tame in comparison. Since I have never read this kind of literature and I'm not sure if I will like it, maybe I should start with this, and then move on to the raunchier Anne Rice stuff. I will check half.com to see if I can pick up a used copy, or check my local Out of the Closet store, they usually carry some good alternative reads.
I find it an interesting coincidence that hours after posting this question, Alexander Skarsgard volunteered to play Christian in the movie adaptation of the novel, see below:
"Alexander Skarsgard is tall, blond and handsome and the latest name fans are rallying behind in the hopes he’ll play the title character when “Fifty Shades of Grey” makes the leap from novel to big screen feature.
The “Battleship” star had not heard of the book when he sat down to talk about his new action sci-fi film at the junket in Hawaii over the weekend, but after Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson informed him about the erotic role, Alexander laughed.
“Where do I sign?” the “True Blood” hunk smiled.
Shaun made sure to prep Alexander on many facets of the character, created by E. L. James, and he reacted to one of the more titillating details, one that he’s already dealt with on his hit HBO show.
“He’s got a sex chamber? My character has that on ‘True Blood.’ He’s got his little dungeon,” Alexander said, referring to vampire Eric Northman.
“I was born to play that part,” he added with a grin, of Christian.
“True Blood” will return for its fifth season on June 10, and joining the fold is Christopher Meloni, who Alexander said is a great addition to the cast."
Would you watch the movie (assuming they make it into a movie) if Alexander plays the part? If you don't think he's a good match for the role of Christian, what actor would you suggest instead? What actress would make a good Anastasia, in your opinion? (except for Katherine, these are the only 2 true characters I have read about in the teaser so I'm not sure what other characters there are so I apologize if I left out anyone important)
I agree you should read the Anne Rice "Sleeping Beauty" series.
And Chuck Palahniuk is a Great write as well.
I am reading it....or trying to read it. Now, mind you, I am not a romance novel fan. AT. ALL, but I am an author too, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
I think the book is ridiculous, no real plot to speak of. The writing is repetitive, so is the dialogue. I can't connect to either character. The main character is completely one dimensional and I repeatedly want to punch Mr. Grey in the face. That's about as strong as a reaction I've had to the book.
There are two other books in this series, which I will not read, because I do not really care what happens to the characters.
If I hadn't promised my best friend that I would read it (regretting that) and then send it to her, I would throw it on the BBQ fire.
Again, not a romance novel fan. So grain of salt. :)
Repetitive and poorly written.
Just want to add: Please beware that the Anne Rice series recommended below is NOTHING like this book - much much "harder" SM - and about 100 times more graphic than anything I read in 50 Shades. :-)
It won't win any Pulitzer prizes but it's a good little read.
Gotta be honest I'm a bit over the whole thing. I found out about the book a few months ago and posted a question on here before it was all the rage - and now it seems like everyone (including my MOM!!!) are reading this and getting themselves all hot and bothered.
So - yeah - it was a fun little read and you'll fall in love with the story and characters - but it isn't hte end all be all of literature.
If you like reading sexy scenes and very very soft SM then you'll be ok. If you're easily offended or find sex any sort of shocking - then don't go there.
To be totally and completely honest about it, No, I am not curiuos to see what the hype's all about. Generally, anytime there is a lot of 'hype' surrounding a fiction book (like this one) it holds no interest for me. I just don't like to read the stuff "the masses" do, or that Oprah and her book club find fascinating I guess. In fact, it is a bit of a turnoff to me.
Maybe that makes me a bit of a snob or something, I don't know. But I don't always agree with what the current "culture" finds intriguing, so I stay away to avoid disappointment.
I'd rather read Ken Follet, James Lee Burke, Michael Connelly or John Hart. They don't do "female" romance novels, lol. And that is what all the popular culture seems to over-hype. I don't read that stuff. Really... I didn't read Harlequin romance novels as a teen, either. Yuck.
ETA: I DID read "Interview With a Vampire", and "The Vampire L'Estat" (Anne Rice) when I was college aged. I thoroughly enjoyed them. After the first 2 or 3 books, however, they got old for me. By many measures, I thought "The Vampire Lestat" was far superior to "Interview". I never heard a word about either of them until Tom Cruise/Brad Pitt did the movie--not a peep was heard before the movie (or after) and it was all and only about 'Interview'. There was brief mention of a follow-up movie (L'Estat) but I don't even know if they ever made it. The novel "Interview" wasn't as well done as L'Estat. Which further solidified for me, not to follow the "masses" when it comes to choosing reading material.
Hmm, paper viagra for women?
I might have to put it on my kindle ;)
I read it because, like you - EVERYONE was talking about it. It intrigued me. It was very good, very interesting, and hard to put down. But there was a LOT of steamy scenes, and in a way it reminded me of the old romance stories where it weaves a story around how many times and places a couple can have sex, but the story grabbed me and interested me. I'm on the second book right now, and it is really good, too.
I downloaded the trilogy on my Kindle and read them. I think they are a great read for the beach or hanging out at the pool, but it is no literary masterpiece. Some of the things I just had to roll my eyes at (the inexperience virgin orgasming all over the place because she has the right teacher, etc). But overall, good fun.
I liked the Sleeping Beauty series referenced by J. B. better.
Heard about it but haven't purchased a copy. I did read Anne Rice's work in the early '90s.
I think it was the end of last week when I heard it being discussed on Los Angeles talk radio....Does he really remove her tampon?? I'm no prude but that just doesn't do it for me.
I'm kind of with Jennifer S - I'm having a hard time getting into it. I read and loved Twilight, and will occasionally read romance novels although they're not my first choice, but I just can't get into this one. It's funny because my kindle shows I've read 2/3 of it, but I honestly don't remember reading it, lol. Granted, I'm a voracious reader, 2-4 books a week, but I always remember something about the book. This one, I check the pages kindle says I've read, no recollection of them aside from a vague sense of deja vu. It's not inspiring me to start it over again at this point.
aaah, nothing like smutty literature to bring the country together!
I haven't read it but am wondering myself if its just a typical erotica read. I've read Lara Adrian's "Breed" series and if "50" is any level of erotica as "Breed", then I might just pass.
Like everyone, no literary awards for these books, but a very fun read regardless! I read them because everyone was talking about it, and I'm glad I did, it's a fun thing. Now I've passed my books to 5 others. lol
I like it. As others said, not award-worthy, but I actually did care about what happened to the characters. It's a fun, easy read, and I like being a part of the hoopla- I hate when there's so much talk of something and I don't know what they're talking about! If you get a cheap download, I say go for it!
I'm about half way through the first book. It's an easy read and, at times, captivating. I'm not a huge romance novel reader. My sister read all 3 books in 72 hours so she has convinced me to read them.
I love romance novels and have enjoyed reading the twilight series multiple times. I hated this book/series (I finished the second and can't bring myself to read the third). The dialogue is repetitive, the plot assinine (22 year old virgin suddenly delves into her sexuality with BDSM), and I physically cringe every time I read about her "inner goddess". I didn't realize it was a type of erotica novel when I started reading. I'm not into BDSM so I was also turned off by all of that. I can't understand the mentality of either side (I have a friend who's into that and I find her stories interesting and it doesn't bother me) - but I can't understand WHY someone wants to hurt another in the name of sexual pleasure or even more so WHY someone would want to get beaten, berated, and controlled for some pleasure. It made me call my friend and ask "what the hell is going through your head when you're doing this stuff". And I still fail to see why the main characters appeal to each other beyond the physical that they are both willing to change lifestyles for the other.
I just finished book 2 last night. I've enjoyed the books so far. (I bought the 3 book series from the iTunes bookstore.) It's funny, in the first book, you think it's going to get way more graphic than it actually ends up being. The author alludes to a lot more steamy behavior than actually occurs. I'm going to start reading the third book tonight - the end of the second book leaves you with a bit of a cliffhanger!
never heard of it!
but surely going to check it out now.
:) khairete
S.
Loved it! I bought mine on Amazon for $9.99. I just finished the second one and am starting the 3rd very soon (like today!).
I wasn't so impressed with the erotica. I was trying to justify how it was part of the story, but I thought it got to be a little much towards the end. I'm not turned on by that, but it didn't really bother me either. Lucikly, it's less in the 2nd book so that's good. I didn't read it for that - in fact, when I bought it I didn't even know that's what the deal was.
I recommend it and I don't think you'll find it for free, unless you're willing to wait for a copy from the library. I say it's worth the $10 bucks. I don't think it will take you as long to read as you think - it's a page-turner and I managed to find time I didn't know I had....all of a sudden things could wait until later! :)
